they are the ones doing the public posturing for him. >> i think also that john boehner does not have a strong hand. he has got a caucus that has dug in its heels on any kind of compromise. i saw this picture of john boehner, this cartoon character, holding a football and saying to president obama "trust me." >> there was an election on november 6 and the democrats did not do that badly. who is here? >> everybody has got to give. >> it really is true. you cannot tax your way out of this debt, you cannot slash expenses and get out of this in debt. you have got to do both. >> somewhat gradually. >> the president seems to be offering a two-for-one deal -- for every $1 of tax increase, he will cut expenses by $2. simpson-bowles wanted a one-to-3 ratio. the republicans want zero. >> but they have the business community that does not want us to go for the cliff -- >> if you use a different language, are there republicans amenable to an increase in taxes -- >> use the word "revenue." >> nancy pelosi took the position, a good negotiating position, that it ought to be $1 million to hundred $50